Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Deodorant regularly shows up in our top 10 list of search
keywords that brought people to our blog. Why wouldn’t it? Many use it and you
definitely need it when you travel. There have been times that I’ve been
on a hot stuffy plane where the person next to me needed a double dose of it!
In fact, one commenter in the early days of the blog asked if we could require
passengers to put their BO in quart sized baggies prior to boarding the
aircraft.

So… you might be wondering what types of deodorant have to
go in the baggies, and what types don’t.

23 comments:

Anonymous
said...

The argument the TSA uses to restrict liquids is "we don´t know if it isn´t an explosive". I would appreciate an explanation on how you know a stick deodorant is not an explosive, and therefore does not have to be restricted in a baggie. Also, how do you know my chocolate is not explosive, or cheese, or batteries?

It makes no sense to restrict a whole state of matter, considering explosives come in all states of matter.

I enjoyed the linked blog about the liquids policy- it really helped me understand why the system is what it is. I have a related question (at least I think it is related.) I've worn an insulin pump for over 20 years, and have seen the procedures change over time. I'm assuming the added testing today (having me handle the pump, then testing my hands) has to do with the possiblity of using the liquid resevoir in it for something other than insulin. Is this right? I am grateful that today I generally encounter agents who know what it is and what to do (many years ago I encountered some hostile reactions from agents unfamiliar with the device: what do you mean you can't take it off?)(Actually these days most pumps can be removed, though I wouldn't want to let mine out of my sight.) Nevertheless, the added procedures are just one more wrinkle and I wonder what the rationale is. (BTW, I do understand what supplies and meds I can travel with, and how, so there's no need to drill that down on my account)

I would like to help out as an aid to support The Homeland Security for anything suspicious that could come across before my eyes and take an immediately action. I would do all these for the opportunity that United State has given me,I am very proud to be an American, God-Bless USA...

A few years ago when I went to purchase stick deodorant I was really surprised to see the size was a lot smaller. The thing that caught my eye in looking at the label was that it was exactly 1 ounce smaller and coincidentally under the magical 3 ounce limit. When I realized this it seemed obvious that either the manufacturer introduced a "travel size" or perhaps got complaints that sizes over 3 ounces were being confiscated by TSA. I'm not sure which but it didn't last long and the old larger size was available again on my next purchase. Of course stick deodorant is measured in "dry ounces" and the the magical 3 ounce limit is in "fluid ounces". Are TSA screeners aware of the difference between the two systems of measurement? I'm sure a lot of people don't realize the distinction so just curious if that is included in your training on what violates the 3 ounce limit or not.

Why do you maintain the scientifically laughable liquids policy? There is no independent peer-reviewed data that supports it. You've been wasting everyone's time for seven years now. Why mot man up, admit you were wrong to start it, and end it?

The TSA should relax or eliminate the liquid restrictions. The TSA has shown that they have the ability to test liquids. All liquids would not need to be tested. If there is suspicion that a liquid isn't what it seems, it can be tested. Random testing of liquids could also be implemented similar to how people are randomly selected for extra screening. This can be done without sacrificing safety. Plus the TSA would get good publicity for a change if people can carry their normal size toothpaste and shampoo.

Other commenters have mentioned some good points. Your own article mentions that it took several tries with your best scientists and best equipment to get something to ignite. People in an airport or plane have no access to that. Also, why are only liquids bad? Explosives exist in other forms of matter.

Only On CBS2: Wounded Marine Says He Was Humiliated By State Capitol Security, Airport TSAJuly 10, 2013 1:15 AM

Martin said the humiliation continued when Kemnitz arrived at the Sacramento International Airport, where TSA screeners hassled the veteran because he couldn’t raise his arms above his head for the full-body scanner.

Well there are lot of confusions with what is allowed and not allowed. On my recent trip My friend and me where carrying the same food ( a boiled and mixed vegetable in paste like form) they allowed me to take it and chucked my friends container!

1) Wintermute's suggestion that since scientists can't easily build liquid bombs, we should loosen the liquid ban is laughable. Just because something may be difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't guard against it. And who's to say what's difficult today doesn't become easier with time.

Following the terrorist attempts to blow up several aircraft during flight using homemade explosives at London-Heathrow Airport in 2006, the European Commission adopted additional rules on aviation security to address this newly-identified threat.

2) The rest of the world has been in line with TSA since 2006.

TSA is a deterrent and strong layer of security. In no way should we weaken national secuirty in the name of convienence.

Anonymous said..."1) Wintermute's suggestion that since scientists can't easily build liquid bombs, we should loosen the liquid ban is laughable. Just because something may be difficult doesn't mean we shouldn't guard against it. And who's to say what's difficult today doesn't become easier with time."

OK. How about not throwing all the "potential bombs" in a trash bin at the checkpoint, then, if they're so dangerous. The TSA's own actions prove that they know liquids are not a threat, even as their words claim otherwise. Also, explosives can be made out of solids, too. Should we not bad solids as well, then?

"Following the terrorist attempts to blow up several aircraft during flight using homemade explosives at London-Heathrow Airport in 2006, the European Commission adopted additional rules on aviation security to address this newly-identified threat."

The liquids plot was not viable, is not viable, and will never be viable. Comes down to basic chemistry.

"2) The rest of the world has been in line with TSA since 2006. "

The rest of the world does not have the virtual strip searches with sexual assault for those who opt out of it or alarm. The rest of the world does not engage in a silly liquids ban. The rest of the world does not go through the shoe carnival. I'd wager that the rest of the world, on average, provides better airline security than the TSA does.

"TSA is a deterrent and strong layer of security."

No, they are not. They make us LESS safe, not MORE.

"In no way should we weaken national secuirty in the name of convienence."

The "inconvenience" argument is a straw man. Have I once complained about inconvenience? No. I complain about ineffectiveness and unlawfulness. In no way should we give up our rights in order to "feel" safe.

I don't know what scientists were unable to devise a liquid bomb, but at a bomb range, I've seen what a liquid bomb can do in a standard Gatorade container, half full of liquid explosive, (8 oz.’s) This is what I have seen with my own eyes, and it's not something that any semi-savvy teen couldn't do him or herself, and blow a hole into the fuselage of an aircraft and take it down with 8-16oz's of liquid explosives. Is it dangerous for the intended bomber? Yes. Is volatile? In most cases, yes. Is it feasible? Absolutely. Search the web; find out for yourself how liquid explosives are used around the world. It's not as difficult as one poster made it seem at all. www.howstuffworks.com/liquid-explosives.htm

"In fact, one commenter in the early days of the blog asked if we could require passengers to put their BO in quart sized baggies prior to boarding the aircraft." LOL. Loved that. Be nice if they bottled their gas too. LOL.

Thanks for the great infoFor those of you who have had issues with a "Confused" TSO or are afraid to run into one, you can download the free TSA app to your smartphone and show them the list that specifically says how deodorant sticks can be taken in the carry on bag without restrictions. It has a great database.